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Royalton, noted at one time as a very important dairy township, and still of considerable consequence in that respect, consists of a valuable farming region and contains a community of prosperous people. It is survey township number five in range thirteen of the Western Reserve and is bounded on the north by Parma, on the south by Medina county, on the east by Brecksville and on the west by Strongsville. The east branch of Rocky river, which is there but a small stream, flows across the southwest corner of the township, and although still smaller water courses are plentiful yet mill-power is very scarce. The only village is Royalton Center, which is a small place, but is very picturesquely located. Agricultural and dairy products are the support of the people, and they furnish a good subsistence. Excellent building stone is found in at least two quarries, but the lack of railway facilities limits the stone market to a circuit near home. The first white settlement upon the territory of Royalton was made in 1811 by a Mr. Clark, who, after making a clearing, brought his family in and located upon section twenty-five, in the southeastern corner of the township, on a tract now occupied by H. A. Carter, a son of Clark's widow by her marriage to Lewis Carter. Clark must have died within a few years after making a settlement, for in 1816 Carter married the widow and took up his residence on the Clark place. Lorenzo - a son born of this latter union - was the first white male child born in the township. On the 2d of June, 1816, Robert Engle with his family and his father-in-law, John Shepard, arrived from the State of New York and settled upon section fourteen, about a half mile south of the center. This was the first settlement after Clark's, whose family remained for five years the only white occupants of the township. Mr. Engle's father-in-law, Mr. John Shepard, had served in his youth as an attendant on a French officer at the time of the Braddock campaign and was present at the memorable defeat of that general. He claimed to be eighty-seven years old when he moved to Royalton with Robert Engle, at whose house he died in 1847. The inscription upon his tombstone fixes his age at one hundred and eighteen years, nine months and eighteen days. Robert Engle, who was famous as a hunter and trapper, died in Royalton. One of his daughters married Simeon Enos, who lives upon the old place. Thomas and Henry Francis, brothers, settled in 1816 on adjoining farms a half mile north of the center. The Francis brothers lived in Royalton useful and honored men and died on the farms where they had first settled. Rhoda Francis, born in 1816, was the first white child to see the light of day in Royalton. In December, 1816, John Coates (popularly known in Royalton as Uncle Jacky Coates), settled with his family upon section twenty-one, where he built at first a house of round logs, which he replaced a year or so afterward with a double log house. The latter was put up by Boaz Granger, who took his pay in land. Mr. Coates, who came from Genesco, New York, owned about thirty-five hundred acres of land in Royalton, which is yet known as the Coates' tract, and which he sold out as settlers required. The house built by Granger for Coates was the first one in the township supplied with a cellar, and was regarded as an eminently aristocratic mansion. Mr. Coates' son, John, came out with his father, and in the following spring another son, Charles, also came with his family. Catherine (daughter of John Coates, Jr.,) was the second female child born in Royalton, where she still lives as Catherine Teachout. In 1817, Jonathan Bunker, from the State of New York, located upon section eleven, where he had received a tract of one hundred and fifty acres from Gideon Granger in exchange for one of fifty acres near Palmyra, New York, his former home. Mr. Bunker belonged to a historical family which gave its name to the celebrated Bunker Hill. Two of his uncles had also participated in the battle fought on Breed's Hill, to which the former name has been given, where one was killed and the other wounded. Ephraim Moody, a neighbor in New York, accompanied Bunker to the West. The journey was made in a sleigh drawn by a pair of horses, of which each owned one. Moody stopped short of Royalton, leaving Bunker to go on alone. The latter reached his newly acquired property in the morning, and by night he had put up a shanty. During the following eight months he labored there alone, clearing and cultivating his land, and when at the end of that time his family came out, they found a comfortable log house and crops well advanced. Mr. Bunker, during his solitary experience, used to be frequently troubled by wild beasts, and more than once his shanty, which was always open, received marauding visits from bears. He was, however, a fearless man, and far from being frightened away by the bears and wolves; he hunted and trapped them with great success. He was an expert ropemaker, and for some time, during his early days in Royalton, supplied Cleveland with about all the white rope used there. For its manufacture he used flax raised upon his farm, and also hemp purchased from Mr. Weddell, of Cleveland. Mr. Bunker also had a nursery of four hundred apple trees, from which many of the present orchards of Royalton were supplied. He had a family of nine children, and died in 1844, aged eighty-two. Chauncey A. Stewart settled in the autumn of 1816 upon section four, the place being now owned by his son, T. H. Stewart. Mr. Stewart was a famous hunter and trapper, and one may still hear many stories of his adventurous exploits in search of bears and other large game. John Ferris settled in the township in December, 1816, and about the same time Solomon and Elias Keys, both from the State of New York, became members of the new community. Boaz Granger, of whom mention has already been made, came out in 1817. He was a neighbor of Jonathan Bunker in New York, and when he came to Royalton, boarded awhile at the house of the latter. As before stated, he purchased land of John Coates on section eleven, and in part payment built him a house and barn, the latter structure being the first framed building erected in Royalton. In the summer of 1817 Samuel Stewart settled upon the State road on section fifteen, where his son, John B. Stewart, now lives. The latter, now aged eighty-eight, has always been one of the most prominent men in the township, and in his old age, looks with satisfaction upon the record of a busy and honorable life. He was a land surveyor in his younger days, and for many years was the agent of Gideon Granger for his Royalton land. He was the first clerk of Royalton, was chosen a justice of the peace, with Lewis Carter, in August, 1819, and long served the township in various public capacities. Mr. Stewart is the only one now living of those who voted at the first township election, in 1818. In the winter of 1817 and spring of 1818, the settlement was very decidedly increased by the arrival of Eliphalet Towsley, David Sprague, Francis How, Abial Cushman, ____ Warren, Parley Austin, John Smith, Israel Sawyer, David Hier, ____ Claflin, ____ Hayes, Knight Sprague and Benjamin Boyer. Towsley settled in the southwest, where his son James had a short time before made a clearing. James returned to New York after his father came, and attended school a year. He then came back to Royalton and settled near the center, but subsequently removed to Brooklyn, where he died in 1879. Eliphalet Towsley resided in Royalton until his death. David and Knight Sprague, brothers, were from Royalton, Vermont. Knight Sprague was blind, having, it is said, lost his sight while working as a blacksmith in the east. He was, however, a remarkably energetic man, and was thought by his neighbors to be able to discern the situation of objects almost as well as many who were blessed with perfect eyes. He built the first town-hall owned by Royalton, took an active part in all affairs of the time, and died on the place on which he first settled. An early township record sets forth the fact that Mr. Sprague was chosen fence-viewer in 1821, but how the blind man managed to "view" the fences the record fails to state. David Sprague settled upon section five, whence he afterwards removed to Middleburg, where he died. John Smith was also from Vermont, and located on section seven. He was killed in 1823 by the fall of a tree. John Hier and his brother David located near the Strongsville line. The former died in Hinckley and the latter upon his farm at Bennett's Corners. In 1818 the newcomers included Henry Hudson, a doctor, farmer and Baptist preacher, James Baird, Asa and Samuel Norton, Kersina and John Watkins, Smith Ingersolls and O. C. Gordon. Mr. Baird, who was one of Jonathan Bunker's neighbors in New York, married the oldest daughter of the latter and located on section eleven, adjoining Bunker's place. He afterward moved a mile farther south, and about 1827 went to Lorain county. Settlements began to be made at the center about 1827, in which year Royal Tyler opened a store in a ten by twelve log-house. He afterward removed to Brooklyn, and was succeeded in the store by his brother Benjamin, who also practiced the healing art. He now resides in Brooklyn. William and James Towsley were early settlers at the center, as was also a Mr. Bostwick. Kersina and John Watkins located near the center, but the former soon died, and the latter then moved out of the township. Asa Norton bought land of John Coates on section twelve, and paid for it by daily labor. The only time he could devote to his own farm was the nights and the Sundays, and these he never failed to use to the utmost extent possible. Samuel Norton who was a teamster at times between Cleveland and Medina, settled upon section eleven. Both Nortons resided in Royalton until they died. Smith Ingalls lived on a farm adjoining David Sprague's, and there died after a well spent and active life. He was the first postmaster in Royalton, and frequently served in township offices. "York" street was laid out about 1828, when one Briggs and William Ferris built there, followed a year or two afterward by William Gibson, John Marcellus, Page Claflin, John Tompkins, James Bunker and George Abrams. Samuel Gibson built a steam sawmill in the west, and not long afterward William Thomas and James Goss built another one in that vicinity, the presence of a belt of fine timber making the timber business quite profitable. Harvey Edgarton built a steam sawmill in the south-east, about 1830, at which time that part of the township first began to receive settlers to any extent. The earliest residents there were Sardis and Harvey Edgarton, Barton Brown, Mr. Akins, John Edgarton, Lewis Miller, Otis Billings and others. Abner S. Beales settled in 1821 near the Center, next to Robert Engle. He lived there four years, and in 1825 removed to Parma. The first marriage in Royalton was that of Asa Norton to Lovey Bunker. The ceremony, which was performed by "Squire" J. B. Stewart, was the maiden effort in that line of the newly-chosen justice. Going to mill in the pioneer days was a disagreeable necessity, for there were none nearer than Vaughn's log gristmill, where Berea now stands, and the way to it was through a dense wilderness. Freeman Bunker, now a resident of Royalton, related how, when a boy, he used occasionally to set out for Vaughn's mill with three bushels of corn across his horse's back. By a peculiar arrangement, the like of which we have never observed before in the history of pioneer milling, Vaughn always went himself, or sent somebody, half way to meet such persons as had notified him that they would have a grist for his mill. Young Bunker used to send the requisite notice beforehand, and then, after struggling through the woods and underbrush to the place where he expected to meet Vaughn, would call out loudly, when the worthy miller would usually appear and take the grist away with him. Sometimes, however, owing to the vague character of the road, the lad or the miller failed to find the appointed spot, when the former would be compelled to roam around the woods a long time before finding the other end of this singular transportation line. Mr. Bunker relates that he was frequently followed by wolves during his trips to the mill and elsewhere, and that troops of them were common spectacles; but the craven creatures never made serious onslaughts save upon such small game as happened to be exposed to their attacks. Bear hunts, organized upon an extensive plan, occasionally called nearly all the residents of the township into service, but excursions after deer, turkeys, etc., were too common to attract any attention. It is said that there was not a single framed dwelling house in Royalton, until 1827, when Jonathan Bunker erected one. The first Fourth of July celebration was held in 1821, and was attended by the usual jollification customary on such events at that day. Francis How is said by some to have kept at the center the first tavern opened in Royalton, but this opinion is disputed by others, who claim that the first Boniface was Charles Coates, who kept on the State road, on the site of Asper's hotel, north of the center. Previous to 1818 Royalton was a part of the civil township of Brecksville, but on the 27th day of October, 1818, the county commissioners ordered that "township number five, in range thirteen, be set off into a separate township with the name of Royalton." It is said that Knight Sprague, the blind man before mentioned, was anxious to name the township in honor of his own native town of Royalton, in Vermont; and it is further said that he paid a gallon of whisky for the privilege, but to whom does not appear. Doubtless it was distributed at a meeting of the "sovereigns" assembled to determine on a name. The first township election was held at the house of Robert Engle, November 9, 1818, at which time the following officers were chosen: John B. Stewart, clerk; David Sprague, Francis How and Elias Keys, trustees; Benjamin Boyer, fence-viewer; Francis How and Elias Keys, appraisers of property; Robert Engle and Elias Keys, supervisors of highways; Abial Cushman, constable; Chauncey A. Stewart, treasurer; Robert Engle and David Sprague were the judges of the election, and Chauncey A. Stewart was the chairman. The first election for justices of the peace was held in 1819, when John B. Stewart and Sam'l Norton were chosen. The election was set aside, however, on the ground of illegality, and at a new election John B. Stewart and Lewis Carter were duly elected justices. Their commissions were dated August 10, 1819. We give herewith a list of the names of the persons who have served as trustees, clerks and treasurers of Royalton from its organization to 1879. 1818. Trustees, David Sprague, Francis How, Elias Keys; clerk,
J. B. Stewart; treasurer, C. A. Stewart. Down to 1825 the people of Royalton had to go to Cleveland for their mail, except that some of them bargained with J. W. Weld to bring their letters and papers to them for a small compensation - fifty cents weekly from each person thus served. In 1825 Smith Ingalls was appointed postmaster, but as he resided in the western part of the township, he deputized S. K. Greenleaf, living near the center, to transact the business. Since Mr. Ingall's time the Royalton post-masters have been William Towsley, Tristram Randall, Lorenzo Hopkins, W. W. Stockman, Charles W. Foster, S. W. Chandler, Lewis Granger, Joseph W. Smith, Charles Bangs, M. S. Billings, Byron Babcock and Thomas Coates; the last named being the present incumbent. Royalton Center, the only village in the township, occupies a pleasant and healthful elevation whence the eye has a very fine view of the surrounding country. The village contains the town hall, three stores, three churches, an Odd Fellow's lodge, and a handsome cemetery. A majority of the residents of the township do their trading at this point, and it is therefore the seat of considerable business, while it is also made attractive by the presence of many elegant rural homes. Rev. Henry Hudson, an early settler in Royalton, who was a doctor as well as a minister, was among the early preachers to the Baptists of Royalton. Prior to 1878, the members of that denomination used to assemble frequently for prayer and other public devotional exercises. In that year the First Baptist Church was organized. The first members were the following: Henry Hudson, Priscilla Hudson, James Teachout, William Dyke, Elizabeth Dyke, William, Lydia and John Teachout, Relief Austin, Merrick Rockwell and Clarissa Teachout. The first deacon was William Dyke. The stone church at the center was the first one built, and was erected in 1850, services, previous to that time, having been held in school-houses and the town-house. Thomas Rederup, Francis Norton and John Edgarton were the building committee which superintended its erection. The church had a membership of forty-five. Mr. Hudson was the pastor until his death, and served for a period of about twenty-five years - his annual salary rarely exceeding fifty dollars. There was a division in the church in 1838; and later, during Rev. Mr. Conley's time, a second one, but the organization is now prosperous, and contains sixty members. The pastor is Rev. S. S. Watkins. The early records of this church have been lost, and the date of its organization is fixed, therefore, by conjecture at about 1836. Worship was first held at the Center, but in 1843 the location was changed to Coates' Corners. * Public services were held there in a school-house until 1850, when, after a protracted discussion which had lasted several years, the present church-edifice was erected. On the 1st of August, 1879, the church membership was thirty-eight. The pastor was Rev. J. H. Baldwin; the trustees were George Kendall and Francis Miner, and the deacons, George Kendall and Francis Bark. In the year 1828 Ezra Leonard invited Mr. Hayden, a Disciple preacher, to visit Royalton and hold religious services for the few of that faith who then resided there. Mr. Hayden responded promptly, and preached his first sermon in the house of John B. Stewart. Soon afterward Edward Scofield, formerly of the Baptist Church, moved into town, and with Mr. Hayden preached occasionally to the Disciples. Mr. Hayden preached in Mr. John Ferris' barn in June, 1829, and on that occasion baptized a number of converts. In the autumn of 1829 a church organization was effected. The elders then chosen were Jewett M. Frost, John B. Stewart, Adin Dyke and William Buck. The deacons were Almon Eastman and Henry Bangs. The original membership of thirty has steadily increased until there are now one hundred and eight names on the roll. The elders in 1879 are Charles Johnson, Abel Bennet, William S. Greene and John B. Stewart, and the deacons are Clark Gibbs and Justin Bark. William Moody, of Lafayette, preaches to the congregation once a fortnight. The society owns a handsome church edifice at the center, and is in the enjoyment of decided prosperity. This body was organized about 1836, but until 1859 worship was held in school houses and the town-house. In the latter year the present church-building was erected. The organization was originally located in the southeastern portion of Royalton, and, for a time, the Stewart school-house was used as a house of worship. Revs. Hugh L. Parish and ____ Fitch, who organized the church, were the first preachers, at which time the charge was included in the Brooklyn circuit. Subsequently the church was attached successively to the Brunswick, Hinckley and Brecksville circuits, in which the latter it still remains. The first class-leader was Hiram Sarles, who was one of the most prominent members of the church. The present class-leader is James Ferris, and the trustees are John Hall, William Babcock and James Ferris. There are now twenty-six members. The pulpit is without a regular pastor, depending upon occasional supplies. In 1854 there were nine Catholic families in Royalton, and in response to their request Bishop Rappe came out from Cleveland and held services at the house of Thomas Montague at the center. Afterward Fathers Hannan, John and Halley were sent out to preach occasionally, and during the time of the latter, in 1858, the members of the congregation purchased the building now used as a church. The first trustees or councilmen of the church were Patrick Flynn, William Manny and James Morris. The present trustees are Patrick Manny and Bartholomew Lyons. About twenty-five families now attend the church, to whom Father Zarenczy, of Berea, preaches once a month, performing mass, however, every week. Authorities differ as to who was the first teacher in Royalton. Oren Abbott and Wm. Towsley have both been named as such, but the weight of evidence is in favor of Eunice Stewart. The school-house in which her labors were pursued was located upon the northeast corner of section five; and there, also, John B. Stewart - the second teacher in the township - taught shortly afterwards. A log school-house was put up in section nineteen at a very early date, in which Wm. Towsley was the first teacher. After him, Abial Cushman was the pedagogue. The teachers of that day were perhaps imperfectly supplied with knowledge, but it is generally agreed by those whose memory extends to that time that they were an energetic, painstaking and industrious class of men and women. In 1830, when the township was set off into four school districts, there were thirty-five householders in District No. 1, twenty-two in District No. 2, sixteen in District No. 3, and seventeen in District No. 4. The township is now supplied with nine excellent schools, at which the average daily attendance is 244, out of a school enumeration of 335. The township tax for school purposes in 1879 was $1,378. About 1866 James Wyatt introduced the manufacture of cheese as a regular business into Royalton, and for a few years did a thriving business. In 1869 Charles Bangs and L. S. Sarles began operations, and carried them forward in company until 1871 when they dissolved, and Bangs removed to his present location, and has since then been engaged in the business to a considerable extent. After a partnership with A. E. Aikens of three years and continuation on his own account until 1877, Mr. Sarles retired from the business, leaving the field to Mr. Bangs. Royalton was at one time esteemed a famous dairy town, and produced a great quantity of milk, but latterly this branch of farming has declined in proportion to others, although still receiving no small share of the husbandman's attention. Capital is likewise invested in nurseries of which several send to market annually a valuable list of trees, plants, etc. General farming is, however, the main dependence of the people, and as the country contains a fruitful soil, the agricultural interests are exceedingly prosperous; the farmers being usually in comfortable, and often in affluent circumstances. Empire Lodge, No. 346, I. O. O. F., was instituted in July, 1950, with twelve charter members, viz: Charles Bangs, Orville Bangs, Joseph W. Smith, John Marcellus, William Frost, Thomas S. Bark, Wesley Pope, J. T. Akers, Edwin Bangs, George Johnson, Charles Heath and L. S. Sarles. The lodge owns a large framed edifice at the center (built in 1864) in the upper portion of which is a well appointed and commodious lodge room; the lower part being used as a store. The membership in August, 1879, was forty, although in 1878 twenty members withdrew upon the formation of a lodge in Brecksville. The present officers are Geo. Mathews, N. G.; John Kirkland, V. G.; D. C. Marcellus, T., F. Lesser, R. S.; Joseph W. Smith, P. S. The first public cemetery in Royalton was laid out at the center, a tract of five acres having been bought from John Watkins for that purpose. Upon that tract the town hall, the Baptist church and the cemetery are located. The latter is now a neglected, weed-choked and most unsightly spot. The first death in the township was that of Catherine, wife of Charles Coates. She was buried in a family burial place upon the Coates farm. There are several cemeteries in the township, of which the finest in appearance is the one at the center adjoining the Disciple church. It is prettily adorned, and its neatly kept walks, graceful foliage, and beautiful monuments, are well calculated to relieve the sad thoughts which naturally associate themselves with the homes of the dead.
*An entry upon the records under date of February 18, 1843, sets forth "that the brethren in Royalton met in monthly meeting, had a good time but under some trials; received three members, J. Bunker, M. Varny and S. Horton, and moved the church down to Coates' Corners."
History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Part
Third: The Townships, compiled by
Crisfield Johnson, Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., 1879;
pages 510-515. |
